The hub's on Main Street in Visalia
By Sara L. MedinaThere’s something to see everywhere you look in downtown Visalia. Reminiscent of big city living, Main Street is teeming with life. Business people and families visit the local retail businesses, coffee shops and restaurants as the old-fashioned trolley chugs its way down the road.
“To me, downtown Visalia is an absolute gem,” says local historian Terry Ommen. “You get the best of both worlds — the historic structures and modern-day supplies and services.”
Founded in 1852, downtown Visalia was the site of the beginning of the modern-day city. In fact, it is the oldest Valley town between Los Angeles and Stockton.
“Fresno wasn’t even thought of yet,” Ommen says. “Visalia was actually the dominant city in the Valley. It was the center that supplied things for mining and agriculture.”
As the city grew, downtown Visalia became the “core” of the town, which meant that everything, from supply stores and other businesses, was centered in that area, says Ommen.
Bob Link, co-owner of Link’s Men’s and Women’s Wear, a family-owned retail store that has been located in downtown Visalia since 1941, remembers when downtown was the place to be.
“Back before there was Mooney Boulevard, when I was in high school, we used to do this thing called ëdragging Main,’ “ he says. “Everyone would get in their car and travel from Floral Street, east of E Street to Main Street and then make a U-turn. Then we’d go to the McDonald’s Drive-In. We saw and met our friends there on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Not much has changed since downtown’s heyday. Although it isn’t as retail-centered anymore, downtown still remains a hub of culture, food and fun for many Visalians.
“Downtown is more entertainment-centered now,” he says. “There are weekly events, such as the farmers’ market, which takes place every Thursday, to special events like Visalia’s All Music Festival in June. There are also a lot of offices that have moved downtown, which create more energy for the community.”
So much so, in fact, that city officials work to preserve its rich history, says Link, who has also been involved in Visalia’s civic life for about 50 years. City and community organizations work to ensure that downtown remains a clean, secure place to visit.
“Downtown has remained strong over the years because city government feels that it is still the center of the community,” Link says.
“You can spend a whole day, every day downtown. The community takes great pride in that.”